Ronald J. Dittmar

BENNINGTON -- Ronald J. Dittmar, formerly of Liverpool, N.Y., and Norwood, N.Y., and most recently a resident and businessman of Stuart, Fla., passed away on June 29, 2006, in the presence of his family.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, the former Ellen “Bunny” Centerbar, formerly of Bennington; his three children: Ronnie and wife, Cindy, of Chadwicks, N.Y., Shelly and husband, Alan, of Cotonou, Africa, and Leigh Ashley of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his grandchildren, Emily and Ryan “RJ”; his three stepchildren: John C. Wilkinson, Carla Bellemare and Jeff Wilkinson; his nine stepgrandchildren; his sister, Beverly Coulter of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; his brother, George III of Eagle Rock, Mo.; his father, George Jr. of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and his cousins, Dot and Dick Pusz of Schenectady, N.Y. He was proceeded by his mother, Gertrude.

Ron was born in Niskayuna, N.Y., and graduated from Liverpool High School and Canton ATC. He owned several businesses over the years in New York and spent the last 20 years in Florida as a project manager. Throughout his life, Ron was always the friend and supporter of all dreams, whether they were his own or someone else’s in his life and used all his will and determination to make those dreams reality. He was friendly and charming to everyone he met and was just as comfortable at the highest levels of business as he was working with the kid on the dock.

In addition to his wife, Bunny, and his children, boating was his love. He spent all of his free time at his camp on Grindstone Island, N.Y. “Camp,” as it is called, was more than just a place to go for Ron; it was his soul. After his family, being able to go to camp, boat and relax was the motivating factor for all his hard work; at camp he was always happy, always at peace (except when trying to fix the pump).

Ron’s heritage will be the family who will miss him forever and the circle of friends left behind who will never forget him. They will cherish all thoughts of him and will extend his legacy and carry a bit of him in every project they complete.

Services celebrating the life of Ronald J. Dittmar will be held on Thursday, July 6, at 11:30 a.m. from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bennington, where the burial office with Holy Eucharist will be offered by the Rev. Mother Anita Schell-Lambert, rector, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice House or Molly’s House in Stuart through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.